Randi Rahm’s specialty is magnificent evening gowns and cocktail dresses, many with intricate beading. You’ve seen them on the red carpet, worn by everyone from JLo to Fergie and Carrie Underwood, to The Bachelorette.

Elissa Bloom, the executive director of the Philadelphia Fashion Incubator at Macy’s Center City, who was the only industry maven from the area to attend an eight-day trip to Israel sponsored by the Jewish Women’s Renaissance Project.